Simply put, if you can think it, you will be able to create it. Just let that sink in for a moment. This means customization in batches of one. It means throwing out almost all design constraints because of material or manufacturing limitations. It means moving the production of a pizza in Pizza Hut and into your family room where you might have your printer right next to your couch.
…You don’t have a snowball’s chance in &^$$ of getting the right answers. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve had this discussion with CEOs and other senior executives. Or, as my friend Pete often says – “The most common source of mistakes in management decisions is the emphasis on finding the right answer, rather than the right question”. Or, as my other buddy Al says – “The formulation of a problem is far more essential than its solution, which may be merely a matter of mathematical or experimental skill”. Those would be Peter Drucker and Albert Einstein.
I admit this is a rant so please proceed with caution. We, at TMG are busy – more than busy, which is great but for me it means that I have limited patience for anything that takes me away from doing what I need to do for my clients. Every week we rotate who is responsible for writing this blog and today was NOT my turn, BUT yesterday I picked up my WSJ at the end of my driveway (yes I still like to read a “paper”) and saw a front page headline “Firms Pinch Payments to Supplier” and I went nuts
Yes, January is almost over! There is no better feeling than a fresh start, whether it is starting a new semester, a new job, moving into a new home OR looking at your business through a new lens, it is all good! This is a follow up post from early December where I discussed the dilemma many companies face – they have a “closet” full of stuff (capable people, processes, tools, technology, etc.) but never seem to have anything to “wear”. A few weeks ago I suggested that there is a process to “Shop your Closet” which is methodical and time tested.
A few months ago I was shopping at my favorite retailer with my friend Monica when I grabbed a pair of black pants to purchase. Monica looked at me and said – “Honey, it’s time to shop your closet”! Monica, by the way, is a professional closet organizer (ADD LINK) and had been bugging me for months to get organized. She was tired of hearing me complain that I had absolutely NOTHING to wear, when she knew differently. So, even though I thought it was a waste of my time and money (the price a pair of designer shoes) I agreed. The activity for me was daunting but hiring a professional made it easy and even fun. What I discovered (I will stick with just black pants) was:
We’ve been hearing nothing but words over the last 18 months in the political arena but did you realize that your decision may have been based more on “how” something was said vs. “what” was said.